Class of 2013,

 there are lots of ways you can save money – before and after you graduate. Some of these you've heard before but there things you should do before you graduate to maximize you savings.

• Update your wardrobe for your new career. Take advantage of

  student discounts. Many retailers offer discounts just to students like J. Crew*, Apple*, Ann Taylor*, The Limited*, Urban Outfitters* and many others. (* double check your local store as offerings may vary by location and many are not offered online.)
  

• Enjoy, take advantage of food and entertainment discounts for students while you still can. Not all companies offer these discounts but many of them do so be sure to ask.

• Purchase software you want before you

  graduate
  

  . Many top software brands offer

  academic discounts
  

  on their software because they want you to know their product when they enter the workforce. But you need to hurry these are

  student software discounts
  

  so after you graduate you are no longer qualified for these lower prices that can save you up to 80% off the normal retail price. Shop Last Chance Grad Sale to make use of your student status. Brands that offer student savings include Avid, Autodesk, Wacom, Unity, GameSalad and many more software brands. For more information on how academic discounts on student software work see below.

Other

Tips to Save Money

:

• Eat out less
• Make your coffee instead of hitting the coffee shop
• Create a real budget and prioritize
• Visit your library or use Red Box
• Go out for lunch instead of dinner
• Find fun free activities
• Have a clothing exchange party with friends, get rid of clothes you are tired of and get new ones free
• Shop clearance items
• Walk or ride a bike when possible

More about

Educational Discounts

on Software:
Here's an example, the commercial price for

Avid Pro Tools

is around $699.95 USD but students can purchase this software for less than $250 USD. Plus when you buy Pro Tools 10 you automatically get a free upgrade to Pro Tools 11. Keep in mind though, that Avid requires proof of your student status so you definitely have to purchase this software before you

graduate

if you want the 65% savings.

Be aware – some student software does include watermarks on the product or restricts commercial use. For instance Unity 4 Pro can be purchased by students for under $100 USD but this is watermarked, not upgradeable and cannot be used for commercial projects. Unity does offer its full, non-watermarked version for commercial use at special rates, so if you do want to use this amazing game development software to make money you can purchase the Unity 4 Pro commercial version at a special student price.

Some companies, like Autodesk, offer student suites that are non-watermarked and can be upgraded. You just need to be careful to review the description for each product before purchasing.